EMPEROR: The Death of Kings, Book 2 (Unabridged)

Abandoned after months of captivity, Julius Caesar gathers recruits that he will forge into a unit powerful enough to gain vengeance on his captors. But soon a new crisis threatens: a gladiator named Spartacus.

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Publisher's Summary

Abandoned after months of captivity, Julius Caesar gathers recruits that he will forge into a unit powerful enough to gain vengeance on his captors. But soon a new crisis threatens: a gladiator named Spartacus.

What would have made EMPEROR: The Death of Kings, Book 2 (Unabridged) better?

This is a good story the only problem is that the history is so bad it makes the book annoying. If you know nothing of Roman history the story is very good but if you know anything about Roman history the book is basically unreadable.

Has EMPEROR: The Death of Kings, Book 2 (Unabridged) turned you off from other books in this genre?

This book could have been written in the same style with out changing the history so dramatically. It seems that the author didn't like some of the Roman figures such as Sulla or Cato changing their ages and personalities to be evil bad gross men. As well as placing Caesar in places he never was. It seems that the author didn't bother to get more than a high school education on the subject before he wrote this story.

I enjoyed this one (the second book) more than the first book. The character of Caesar is more interesting and the politics of the Senate are well described. Parts of the plot seem too simplistic though.

Once, ancient history was torrid current events. This tale tells of Caesar's early career including his role in the Spartacus slave rebellion, and is packed with great characters. Voicing the flawed heroes, depraved villians and the odd innocent bystander the narrator gets it just right too. The others in this series are definitely on my listening wish list.

I enjoyed 'The Gates of Rome' thoroughly but I thought the senate backstabbing, in-depth background politics, along with all the different trials Caesar had to go thru made this book more interesting. The amount of pain & joy must have been a complete adrenaline rollercoaster if even half of it is true. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole "swaytonious" underlying, small problem he dealt with comparably speaking was funny & it made me think about all these old Roman names, don't know why lol, haven't met too many swaytonious's in my life or octavious's... for such a dominant culture that survived almost 4 times longer than the US has been around it seems that have effected every part of our major social systems except the names. Not giving any spoilers away but the conversation that swaytonious & his father have was the funny part because it really puts into perspective how many layers, like an onion, these historical stories have. I'm sure the same thing still exists today but at a different level only in tech base not motive (money & power), but when u read about it in past times it at a much primal & raw level.

I personally think after reading the first the first 2 Emperor series books they are a bit better than the Khan series but when u write at Conn's level its a matter of taste not quality. This review comes far later than when the book was released because I only moved to enjoying historical fictions after reading some Cornwell & than going thru all the different major empires that have great stories to build on. Cheers to Caesar who realized quickly he who rules the mob can hold great power over any empire, the same still holds true today, is that a good or bad thing?

This is the second book in a four part series following the life and times of Julius Caesar and his contemporarys, such as Brutus and Pompeii.

Conn Iggulden does a great job of bringing the time period to life. He may take a lot of liberties with the historical facts, but it is always intended to drive the story on in a more interesting way. This is historical fiction after all!

Emperor: The Death of Kings takes place at the beginning of Caesars career and Political life. I found it more interesting than the first book because of the political intrigue involved.

The narrator does a great job of bringing the characters voices to life. Some may find his use of English accents a little strange, but nevertheless it works.

read the paper backs many times then bought the audio books and listened to them many times i also recommend genghis series that is one of my most favorite series listened to it at least 50 times and thats a low guess

If you can overlook the historical inaccuracies, you will enjoy this story. I absolutely did not enjoy this performance. Too many mispronunciations and the general tone of the performance was irritating to me. I am hard pressed to listen to the next book as it is the same performer.

Just an excellent listen. Historical fiction, with a great pace. No long, boring descriptions of things that aren't required - just the opposite of how you expect a historical book to seem. Loads of action and adventure, no dullness.... Unfortunate that again the Audiobook of the first in the series is not available on Audible as per the Genghis series. But you can get along without it just fine, you miss out on the childhood of Julius by not having the first book available, but you get the bones of that story in here anyway. This book takes you vividly to the heart of massive battles, told from the perspective at the front line to the generals watching over - to pirates, treasure, murder, slaves, executions and more. Yes, I suppose there is quite a lot of death, but then there was at the time and it is not done in a gratiutious manner. This leaves you with a real want to learn about the true history of these things, and leaves you smiling when you see how little things were changed or added to make this a work of fiction based on true history. The book really took me to these times and places - I could not stop listening to it.

13 of 13 people found this review helpful

Phil

Bedford, United Kingdom

8/25/10

Overall

"Lose yourself in ancient Rome"

This is an easy listen and you'll find yourself wrapped up in an enthralling story of politics, ambition, battle and vengence. Although some reviewers don't appear to like him, I enjoyed Robert Glenister's narration. It was captivating, without the reader overshadowing the strength of the narrative. If you are a literary buff, this may not be for you. But if you like a good story, well told and with a basis in historical fact, then tune in and get carried away to a time over 2,000 years ago... Perfect for a very long drive.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

chris

plymouth, United Kingdom

12/7/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Well Worth a Read"

Where does EMPEROR: The Death of Kings, Book 2 (Unabridged) rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The way in which Conn Iggulden weaves history into his narrative is truly worth a listen, i found the book deeply engrossing and made me eager to listen to the next in the series.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I found it hard to pick a favourite character as everyone is so likeable and you want them all to succeed.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The best part of the book for me was when Julius addressed his new men after some had to be executed for cowardice. I found it really encapsulated who Julius was and who he would become.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Gregory

UxbridgeUnited Kingdom

12/10/10

Overall

"Splendid Read"

As a fan of Iggulden's Genghis Khan series, I was eager to learn more about the life of Julius Caesar in these stories. Admittedly some of the surprise that the protagonists were in fact Caesar and Brutus was a little spoiled by the blurb, but it remains a fascinating story despite a slow start.

Don't expect a rip-roaring story at the very beginning, but the intrigue begins to pick up later on. Sometimes the fight scenes can seem to drag on a little but never too much so that it feels like a chore. The scene with Brutus' duel with a Pictish warrior in the late story, while a bit too obvious despite the author's attempts to hide it, is a very well-written piece.

The narration is very good, though sometimes Rennius' voice grates a little and it makes it difficult to sympathise with him. But then again, maybe that's the point. I liked this book enough to get the sequel, so I can fully reccomend it to anyone else looking for a good historical read.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Martin G Burgess

5/29/10

Overall

"What a Book"

This book kept me captivated from the beginning, Robert Glenister was one of the best narrators I have come across, I will be listening to more of his reads. The only problem I have is I didn't realise when I purchased it is that this is book two of three, so now I've got to go back and listen to book one, not a problem this book was so good and action packed all the way through, I'll just listen to it again before going onto book tree. Although it is loosely based on historical fact the story reflects the violent times of the period an so its not the faint hearted. Best listen ever bring it on Conn Iggulden and Robert Glenister.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Rolf

Gloucester, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom

6/2/10

Overall

"Poor reader..."

I had these audio before and misplaced the discs. However they were read by Alex Jennings, he bought the books alive.

They are the greatest books written and you'll have a problem putting it down or pressing pause.... if you do get the audio book then ensure that Alex Jennings is the narrator.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Helbert

4/29/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Can't wait..."

Just loved the first 2 books... Can't wait to start the next one!!! Totally recommended!!!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Bradley P

Ireland

2/3/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Excellent book 2!"

I really enjoyed book 1 but book 2 was even a great suprise as the story unfolds and I just could not stop listening to this book 2. love it and I could only imagine what the battle scenes could be like. Onto book 3 now.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Mr J. Lal

12/30/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Death of Kings"

Not usually a fan of historical books but after reading the first one in the series I'm totally hooked. Very well written and excellently narrated. What more could you possibly want?

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Macwoman

Leamington Spa, England

10/27/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Epic account of the days of power in Rome"

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Gripping second volume in the Emperor series. The hero, Gaius Julius Caesar, is coming into his prime as a general, and beginning to taste the excitement and horror of Roman politics. The series has been nicely set up in the first volume (worth hearing), with a deep, abiding friendship between Caesar and Marcus Brutus, and anybody who has seen Shakespeare must be wondering by now how this apparently unshakable bond can be broken?I did not think I would last the whole series but I think now that I will. It is told in such a compelling way, and so superbly read by Robert Glenister, that it becomes unputdownable. There are some descriptions of battles that pull no punches - don't listen if you dislike violence and bloodshed - but there is something fascinating about power, what men (and some women) will do to get it and to hang on to it. And while it's hard to love the Romans, you have to admire them for their sheer toughness, guts and determination to go for what they wanted. I think the author does well to maintain our interest in and liking for Julius, despite all this! He does attempt to suggest that there is a difference between the ruthless dictators like Sulla and the men who loved Roman justice and honour like his own heroes. Sometimes I'm hard pressed to tell the difference, but he keeps me interested anyway - quality historical writing.

What was one of the most memorable moments of EMPEROR: The Death of Kings, Book 2 (Unabridged)?

I liked the court room scene in which young Julius defends his honour from the charge of theft of Marius's house - and begins to show his gift for capturing the minds and hearts of the mob.

What about Robert Glenister’s performance did you like?

First rate reading. I could not fault it. And I don't say that often. No irritations to get in the way of the story.

Any additional comments?

Probably it helps to listen to the series in sequence, as it is easy to get lost amid the variety of characters.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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